Meet Our Members
2025 Board
Epsilon Eta's board is elected each November and serves for one calendar year.
Payton Zolck she/her
President
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✦ Major: Ecosystem Management and Forestry, Conservation and Resource Studies
✦ Junior
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"Hi I'm Payton! I'm from the Bay Area, specifically Redwood Shores, CA. I love spending time outside and enjoy hiking, skiing, and camping. I also enjoy singing, playing ukelele, doing improv comedy, cooking, and spending time with friends. I love animals, and have a pet dog named Gryffin and a cat named Pumpkin. I am super excited to meet all the potential new members! "
Catalina Mejia Beas
she/her/ella
VP of Service
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✦ Major: Environmental Science
✦ Sophomore
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"Hey lovely people! My name is Catalina and I was born in Sacramento, raised in Elk Grove, and went to school in Galt. My loves in life include: dogs (own three little ones at home), music genres that range from the decades of the 40’s- early 2000’s, the color pink, running outdoors, swimming, dream journaling, trying new foods, and overall, my family :D! I’ve been in Ep Eta since my freshman year spring, and I’ve loved the club since my first info session - can’t wait to make more memories with this club <3."
Maya Kuo she/her
VP of Finance
✦ Major: Conservation and Resource Studies
✦ Junior
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"Hi everyone! My name is Maya and I'm from San Francisco, CA. I'm really interested in environmental biology, chemistry, and ecology and how those concepts can be used to create healthier ecosystems and communities. In my free time I love cooking, reading, playing bass, talking about vermicompost, and meeting Berkeley neighborhood cats. Super excited to meet all of you! :D"
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Sophia Garcia she/her
VP of Internal Development​
✦ Major: Molecular Environmental Biology
✦ Minor: Marine Science
✦ Sophomore
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"Hii I'm Sophia! I'm from New York, and I love to run, hike, explore new cities & the outdoors, watch cute dog videos, and marine animals :) My dream career is in marine vet medicine!"
Tajh Carter
he/him
VP of Social​
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✦ Major: Chemistry
✦Sophomore
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"Hey I'm Tajh and Im from Northridge! I love thrifting , trying new food spots, spontaneous adventures, video games, skateboarding, taking photos, biking, and late night walks. My favorite #1 artist is Faye Webster since 2019! My MBTI is ENTJ-T!"
Adishree Kasliwal
She/her
VP of Professional Development and Academics
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✦Major: Society & Environment, Environment Economics & Policy
✦ Sophomore
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I’m from Jaipur, India, and I’m always up for exploring new places and trying new things. I am still riding the high of seeing Moo Deng the Pygmy hippo in Thailand. Food is my love language, so you’ll usually find me checking out restaurants or trying different cuisines. I’m a total animal lover—you’ll always catch me petting the campus dogs or first in line at the petting zoo. Nature is my happy place, especially when I’m hiking with my fellow Ep Etas. Always up to talk about this amazing community that is Ep Eta, so feel free to connect.
Elissa Mei
she/her
VP of Risk and Wellness
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✦Majors: Environmental Economics & Policy, Sociology
✦Junior
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"Hey everyone! I’m Elissa and my hometown is Salinas, CA. I love cooking, photography, journaling / scrapbooking, making a million different tea blends, hiking, music, and tidepooling!! I’m also really interested in applying EJ frameworks into clean energy & decarbonization efforts. Would be happy to meet & chat with you!"
Claire Thompson
she/her
VP of Outreach
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✦ Majors: Society and Environment
✦Minors: Global Poverty and Practice, Gender and Women's Studies
✦ Sophomore
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"Hi Y'all! I love paddle boarding, taking my dog for long walks, cooking, and exploring new places around the country--camera, journal,nand book in tow! I'm passionate about social justice and advocacy and creating community to build solidarity. If you can't reach me, it's probably because I've decided to go backcountry for a while. I call Los Angeles home :)
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Active Members
Nuala Giffen
(Abroad)
She/Her
✦ Major: Conservation & Resource Studies and Psychology
✦ Junior
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"hiii i’m nuala and im from la (burbank). some of my fav hobbies are reading, thrifting and playing soccer. i also just love being outside whether it’s hiking, going to the beach or camping i am always down!! i am really interested in animals and want to work with endangered species in the future. this semester i am studying abroad in copenhagen but am excited to meet everyone when i get back!!"
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Ethan Ignoffo
he/him
✦ Major: Environmental Economics & Policy
✦ Minor: Conservation and Resource Studies
✦ Senior
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"Hey there! I am from Southern California, Mission Viejo more specifically. My academic interests include natural resource management, climate change adaptations, and marine conservation. When i’m not studying, you can usually find me attending concerts around the Bay, watching horror movies, gaming, or cooking. Super excited to meet you all, so feel free to reach out and schedule a chat!"
Martina Mapatis
she/her
✦ Major: Data Science
✦ Minors: Climate Science
✦Senior
"Hi :) Coming from Humboldt County, CA I joined Ep Eta because of my best friend Maya and am so proud of our amazing community here. Being outside with plants and animals, music, festivals, books, visual art, and meeting new people bring me immense joy. I love to dance, hike/backpack, lay in the grass on a sunny day, and spend time with my friends and family. Fun facts: I pop my gum inward and got stung by a jellyfish this winter break! <3"
Charlotte Wiggins​
she/her
✦ Major: Conservation & Resource Studies
✦ Minor: Marine Sciences
✦ Senior
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"Hi I’m Charlotte! I’m from San Diego, California, and I like kelp+ coral freediving, reading, and gardening. I’m currently completing my senior research on medical ethnobotany, working in a fish lab on campus, and was an Mo’orea Spring 2025 Island Sustainability Student. Passionate about marine conservation and making my own tea in my free time. Ask me anything!"
Marisa Gutierrez
she/her
✦ Major: Environmental Economics and Policy, Conservation and Resource Studies
✦ Junior
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"Hi! My name is Marisa and I'm a Junior double majoring in EEP & CRS. I'm from Redwood City, which is a bit south of San Francisco! Some things I love to do are swim, walk with my dog, go to the beach, go to band nights with my friends, and watch good shows with my roommates. I am also obsessed with coffee & matcha, and am a total foodie. I'd love to chat with you!"
Janelle Beduya
she/her
✦ Major: Molecular Cell Biology, Integrative Biology, Marine Science
✦ Junior
"Hi, I’m Janelle and I’m from Los Angeles, CA! I love swimming in any body of water, baking on the glade on a sunny day, and going on hot girl walks. I’ve also taken up new hobbies (#newyearnewme) and found that I love crocheting and junk scrapbooking! A fun fact about me is that I’m remotely related to Robin Williams lol. I love love love meeting new people, so feel free to schedule a coffee chat with me <333"
Raine Zulueta
he/him
✦ Major: Molecular Environmental Biology
Minors:GIS-T
✦Senior
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"hi i am raine from cerritos, ca!!! im interested in public health, urbanism, gis, and all the intersections inbetween!! these days i really enjoy snowboarding, pinterest, dancing, volleyball, drinking tea, and going to the beach, but i also really love sweet potatoes, 7leaves, traveling, and exploring new cities!"
Nishita Dashpute
she/her
✦ Major: Ecosystem Management and Forestry
✦ Minor: Data Science
✦ Senior
"Nishita is a fourth-year studying EMF from LA. She is interested in land-based natural climate solutions for carbon sequestration. Nishita has been in Ep Eta since her freshman year and her favorite memory of the club is going camping with them her sophomore year. Nishita enjoys photography, dance, and listening to Lorde."
Marcella Welter
she/they
✦ Major: Molecular Environmental Biology
✦Senior
"Hi! I'm from Alameda, CA. I'm interested in wildlife conservation, evolutionary biology, and environmental justice. I am always down for any outdoor activity, and my current rotation is climbing, playing tennis, bodysurfing, and birding. I also enjoy arts and crafts."
Lauren Gonzalez​
she/her
✦ Major: Public Health, Environmental Science
✦ Minor: GIS
✦ Senior
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"Hey! I'm Lauren and grew up in Anaheim, CA. I am very interested in EJ and environmental health and love to play tennis, do puzzles, go snowboarding, kayak, and go on hikes. I also love just sitting on the glade or throwing a frisbee when its sunny. A fun fact about me is that I'm scared of snails."
Caroline Lim
she/her
✦ Major: Conservation and Resource Studies
✦ Sophomore
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"Hi I'm Caroline! I'm from San Mateo, CA and I study food systems/agroecology. I play club soccer for Cal, dream of farmers markets and silly snacks, and at any given time, you may catch me at the piano, frolicking outdoors, or making daisy crowns. I love meeting new people, so let's chat!"
Allison Parra
she/her/ella
✦ Major: Environmental Economics & Policy
✦ Minor: Food Systems
✦ Senior
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My name is Allison, I'm from SoCal, and I'm and EEP + Food Systems student! I'm interested in urban farming + gardening, agroecology, & education. I enjoy crafting, reading, chilling in the sun, swimming, running, and doing crosswords!
Nikita Mehta
she/her
✦ Major: Conservation and Resource Studies (Marine Ecology)
✦ Minors: Data Science
✦Junior
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"Hi everyone! I’m from sweet Santa Barbara where my love for the ocean originated. In my free time I love to bake, sing, go to the gym, do pilates, go on hikes, go to cafes (i loveeee matcha), and read. I love to be outdoors and spend as much time as possible in different bodies of water. I love meeting new people, so please reach out!!"
Samie Baclig
she/her
✦ Majors: Environmental Science
✦ Minors: Data Science
✦ Senior
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"Hiii, I'm Samie, and I'm from Fullerton, CA! I enjoy cooking, crocheting, playing soccer, hiking, lying on the glade, and listening to new music (my favorite artists at the moment are Smino and Doechii)! I joined Ep Eta my freshman year—feel free to chat with me about anything! A fun fact about me is that I've had over 100,000 listening minutes on my Spotify Wrapped for the past two years ðŸ˜"
Jacqueline Muñiz
they/them
✦ Majors: Society and Environment, Urban Studies
✦ Senior
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"Hey y'all! My name is Jackie and I like to label myself as a proud first-generation Mexican American and student. I grew up in SoCal, specifically OC. Some hobbies I have picked up are dancing, skateboarding, people-watching, rotting in the sun or at a cafe, spontaneous side excursions, and traveling. Fun fact: I lived in Barcelona for about 7 months! "
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Vignesh Manikandan
he/him
✦ Majors: Molecular Environmental Biology, Data Science
✦Sophomore
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"Hey everyone, my name is Viggy! In my free time, I love baking, listening to Polyphia, annoying my friends in Ep Eta, and enjoying nature :) Feel free to coffee chat with the coolest member in Ep Eta 😎"
Bree Heuer
she/her
✦ Majors: Chemistry
✦ Sophomore
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"Hi! I’m a second year chem major from the Seattle area. Besides ep eta, I’m passionate environmental policy and carbon removal. I’d love to talk about your best book/movie recommendations, fav meals in berkeley, and whatever artists you’ve been listening to lately! (Spotify says the Beatles and clairo for me rn but I am deeply distrustful of it ever since Wrapped came out.) Schedule a chat with me!!! So excited to meet you :)"
Bella Santos
she/her
✦ Major: Environmental Science
✦Minor: Public Policy
✦Sophomore
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"Hi I’m Bella and I’m from San Diego! I love the beach, collaging, podcasts, trying new vegetarian foods, and running (slowly). I’m passionate about environmental justice and policy, and really want to travel the world!"
Hannah Trinh
she/her
✦ Majors: Environmental Sciences
✦ Minors: Conservation and Resource Studies
✦ Senior
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"Hello! I’m Hannah and I’m from Los Angeles. I love cafe hopping, scrapbooking, vlogging, and hanging out with friends!! If you’d like to talk about matcha, stickers, or anything silly feel free to chat with me! Ù©(^á—œ^ )Ùˆ ´- "
Leigh Ambrose
she/her
✦ Majors: Ecosystem Management and Forestry
✦Minor: GIST, Food Systems
✦ Junior
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"Hi there! I'm Leigh and I'm from Redlands a small city in Socal! I am super passionate about conservation and management of urban landscapes aspire to work in urban forestry! I like to think I am the resident tree person of Ep Eta. I love being a part of the eco community and am involved with the Cal Forestry Club as well as the Logging Sports team, Bucking Bears. I also teach a very fun Tree ID decal (Treecal) on campus which I highly recommend that you take!! If you need to find me I'm usually spending too much of my time hanging out either in Mulford 260 or the GIF lab. Outside of school I love cooking at home, spending quality time with my friends, or doing anything outdoors."
Ashley Duran
she/her
✦ Majors: Ecosystem Management and Forestry
✦ Junior
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"Heyyy, I’m Ash! I’m from Woodlake, CA. I love to run, dance, water color, and listen to oldies! I’m very passionate about revolutionizing and decolonizing forest and fire management policy."
Maya Scanlon
she/her
✦ Major: Ecosystem Management and Forestry
✦ Minor: Conservation and Resource Studies
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"Hello everyone! I am from Humboldt County, CA in a little town surrounded by rivers and redwoods. In my free time I love to go to see live music, cook, read, swim, hike, ski, and hangout with my buddies. My main professional interest is fisheries with a focus on restoration efforts throughout the Pacific Northwest!"
Lensaa Temesgen
she/her
✦ Majors: Environmental Sciences
✦ Minors:City Planning
✦ Senior
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"Hey everyone, my name is Lensaa! I’m a senior studying environmental sciences and city planning! I'm really interested in making cities more sustainable through public transit, and I hope to work as an urban/city planner once I graduate. I'm from Richmond, CA so I love the East Bay. In my free time I love to travel, watch tv, and try new matcha spots!"
Taylor Ho
he/him
✦ Majors: Economics and Conservation & Resource Studies
✦ sophomore
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"Hi everyone! I'm Taylor from the Bay Area, specifically down in San Jose. I'm usually out exploring new places, trying to take nice photos, or playing something on my guitar. I'm personally interested in the intersection between environmental data and scientific communication. Excited to meet you guys!."
Bryant Srioudom
He/They
✦ Majors: Molecular Environmental Biology
✦ Minors: Marine Science
✦ Senior
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"Hi, my name is Bryant and I am from Temecula, CA. I am into urban marine ecology and coastal biology. I studied Pacific Hake on a boat for a month and also studied abroad in Costa Rica! I am really obsessed with tidepooling and my digicam right now, and when I am not doing ocean stuff I make jewelry, go to night markets, and get sweet treats."
Jared Croyle
He/him
✦ Majors: Molecular Environmental Biology
✦ Minors: Data Science
✦ Senior
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"Yooo what’s up everyone, I’m Jared! I hella love Berkeley, enjoy learning everything about paleontology while geeking out over genomics 🤩😵😵💫 (I’m a professional when it comes to making money - buy my course for $50 to find out how LOL)"